Envisioning technology combination, convergence and compounding in the intelligent age

How technologies combine, converge and compound, and their role in transforming innovation across industries.

As technologies evolve—encompassing advancements in robotics, energy sources, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and beyond—their interdependence presents immense opportunities for compounding benefits as well as complex challenges in disentangling their interactions. In collaboration with the World Economic Forum, this initiative aims to provide a snapshot of the current state of technology interactions, how combination, convergence and compounding of technologies is setting the rhythm for a new tempo in innovation.

The momentum of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is intensifying, offering groundbreaking advancements across biological, physical, and digital technologies. Evidence shows that while individual technologies are making significant strides, their collective impact is amplified when they advance in tandem. These synergistic applications, which transcend the scope of a single technology, are critical to navigating a world undergoing rapid change and increasing complexity.

We’ve reached a unique moment where several groundbreaking technologies have matured enough to work together effectively. However, these advancements are dependent on various factors including markets, incentives, innovation breakthroughs, investment flows, regulatory frameworks, and talent development.

Together, Capgemini and the World Economic Forum are dedicated to understanding and connecting the emerging technology landscape, which spans artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, spatial computing, robotics, and more. This will support in the production of decision-making tools for technologists, policymakers, economists, and business leaders to design tech solutions, structure organizations, and create applications for large-scale impact.